Oliver Colvile(Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Conservative) To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many free schools for autistic children have been set up in the UK; and how many such applications are currently being considered by his Department.

Edward Timpson(The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education; Crewe and Nantwich, Conservative) The free schools programme has made it easier than ever before for parents, charities and other organisations to set up new schools, including special schools for autistic children.Edward Timpson(The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education; Crewe and Nantwich, Conservative)

There are currently three open special free schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater specifically for autistic children.

There are also three open special schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater in some way for autistic children.

These schools are being set up by groups such as the National Autistic Society (NAS). NAS has one open free school in Reading and two in the pipeline, which will be located in Cheshire and Lambeth.

We are currently assessing the most recent round of free school applications. Successful applicants will be announced shortly.

Oliver Colvile(Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Conservative) To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many free schools for autistic children have been set up in the UK; and how many such applications are currently being considered by his Department.

Edward Timpson(The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education; Crewe and Nantwich, Conservative) The free schools programme has made it easier than ever before for parents, charities and other organisations to set up new schools, including special schools for autistic children.Edward Timpson(The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education; Crewe and Nantwich, Conservative)

There are currently three open special free schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater specifically for autistic children.

There are also three open special schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater in some way for autistic children.

These schools are being set up by groups such as the National Autistic Society (NAS). NAS has one open free school in Reading and two in the pipeline, which will be located in Cheshire and Lambeth.

We are currently assessing the most recent round of free school applications. Successful applicants will be announced shortly.